Our Great Minnesota and Wisconsin Adventure!

These Philly Barlows hadn't been back to Minnesota/Wisconsin since Christmas to see family and friends. We figured the end of May would be perfect timing. The weather would be great. We are still 2 months away from the end of fellowship. And a wedding and a bridal shower would fit right in! Needless to say, it was busy, and crazy, and super fun! We loved every minute of our trip!

Jon was able to join us for Memorial Day Weekend. So we flew in to Minneapolis and stayed in Hudson with the Barlows from Friday until Monday, Memorial Day. While we were there we enjoyed many delicious meals, worked on their massive garden, spent good quality time with the family, and Jon and I were even able to sneak away to Madison for a friend's wedding! Kylie and Brooks loved playing with Grandma Kriss and Grandpa Doug, and Elias and Espen!

On Memorial Day, Jon flew back to Philly for work on Tuesday, and I headed down to Stewartville with the kids. We spent 6 days with the King family, and were able to see lots of people. We played with the Camps and Yuans in Rochester, hung out at the farm with Super Grandma, and spent lots of quality time with Grandma Susan, Grandpa Jimmie-John, cousin Emmit, and Auntie Mia! We rode the gator and lawn mower, played at the water table, and went for MANY tricycle rides! On Sunday of that week, I went to my friend, Molly's, bridal shower. I saw almost all of the Pink Stars (my high school friends), and we showered Molly with gifts and laughter! :) After the shower I headed back up to Hudson with the kids to catch our flight back to Philly the next day.

While we were in Stewartville, however, I got word from my sister-in-law, Ingrid, that she was in labor a month early! She and Tony weren't expecting their baby girl until the end of June, but to everyone's surprise (both her boys were late), Bergen Marie arrived on May 30th! So I was lucky to get to meet her on Sunday when we went back up to Hudson! She is healthy and perfect and a wonderful sleeper!

It was a great adventure and we are excited to see everyone again later this summer! Here are lots of pictures from the trip...

 These two are pretty much professional flyers.

 Madison.

I love that city.

The capital at night.

 Barlow cousins.

Espen, Kylie, Brooks, Elias

 Jon gave Brooks his first real haircut.

A nice summer time buzz cut!

 Storytime with Grandpa Doug and Grandma Kriss.

 More storytime.

 At the farm.

Playing with cars.

 Gardening with Grandma Susan.

 Brooks loves animals!

 Squinting in the sun.

 Lawn mower rides with Grandpa Jimmie-John.

Kylie loved it.

 Brooks, not so much.

 Brooks insists on using the spoon by himself.

I'd say he gets close to 50% of the food in his mouth.

 Pig mask.

 Gator rides.

Pig mask still on.

 Water table with Emmit.

 Tricycle obssession.

 Kylie and Emmit on trikes.

 Sweet dinosaur costume.

 Molly's bridal shower.

L to R: Ruthie, Schroeder, Molly, me, Kristin.

Missing Marissa and Amanda

Baby Bergen!